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Phillies signed RHP Francisco Rodriguez to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

K-Rod can make $2.5 million plus incentives on the deal, which includes an invitation to spring training, Heyman said. Heyman previously reported a few teams had sent scouts to see K-Rod, and that the reliever was hitting 93 mph in a bullpen session. The 36-year-old may actually have a decent shot at breaking camp with the club, given some of their other pen options as spring nears. Jan 27 - 8:35 PM

Rodriguez couldn't crack 90 mph with his fastball last summer in the Nationals' minor league system and was released on July 14. That was after the Tigers cut him loose on June 23. He's hoping to throw for interested teams sometime this month and the 36-year-old right-hander would seemingly be willing to accept another non-guaranteed minor league deal. "I still have plenty left," Rodriguez said this week. "I’m physically way better than I was last year. I’m ready. If I didn’t have it, I’d say it. I’m a straight shooter – my own worst critic." Jan 11 - 10:05 AM

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports that Francisco Rodriguez plans to continue his career next season.

K-Rod flamed out with the Tigers last season and was also released by the Nationals after catching on with them on a minor league contract. He'll turn 36 next month but isn't ready to hang up his cleats just yet. Rodriguez will have to settle for a minor league contract, but some team will probably give him a shot. Mon, Dec 11, 2017 07:38:00 PM

It's unclear whether he exercised his opt-out or the Nats just decided to cut him loose. K-Rod posted a 1.80 ERA over five innings in the minors for Washington, but he had a 2/3 K/BB ratio. The 35-year-old was released by the Tigers last month after holding a 7.82 ERA over 28 appearances this season. Fri, Jul 14, 2017 12:38:00 PM

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Rodriguez couldn't crack 90 mph with his fastball last summer in the Nationals' minor league system and was released on July 14. That was after the Tigers cut him loose on June 23. He's hoping to throw for interested teams sometime this month and the 36-year-old right-hander would seemingly be willing to accept another non-guaranteed minor league deal. "I still have plenty left," Rodriguez said this week. "I’m physically way better than I was last year. I’m ready. If I didn’t have it, I’d say it. I’m a straight shooter – my own worst critic."

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports that Francisco Rodriguez plans to continue his career next season.

K-Rod flamed out with the Tigers last season and was also released by the Nationals after catching on with them on a minor league contract. He'll turn 36 next month but isn't ready to hang up his cleats just yet. Rodriguez will have to settle for a minor league contract, but some team will probably give him a shot.

It's unclear whether he exercised his opt-out or the Nats just decided to cut him loose. K-Rod posted a 1.80 ERA over five innings in the minors for Washington, but he had a 2/3 K/BB ratio. The 35-year-old was released by the Tigers last month after holding a 7.82 ERA over 28 appearances this season.

Francisco Rodriguez can opt out of his minor league contract with the Nationals on July 12 if he isn't called up to the majors.

After being released by the Tigers, Rodriguez signed a minor league deal with the Nationals on Monday. The expectation is that he'll make a few tune-up appearances in the minors before being activated, but he'll have the ability to look for an opportunity elsewhere if there's a change of plans. Rodriguez was roughed up with a 7.82 ERA over 28 appearances before the Tigers cut ties with him.

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports first reported the Nats' pursuit of K-Rod earlier Monday and now says that the deal has been finalized. The former closer will go to the minors for now but it won't be long until he's added to the big league bullpen. Rodriguez was released by the Tigers last week after posting an ugly 7.82 ERA over 28 appearances, but Washington is willing to give him a shot given their bullpen issues.

According to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, the Nationals are pursuing free agent reliever Francisco Rodriguez and he's likely to sign with them.

Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post reports that it's expected to be a minor league deal. Rodriguez was released by the Tigers last week after posting an unsightly 7.82 ERA over 28 appearances this season. It's no secret that the Nationals need bullpen help, so they are hoping to catch some lightning in a bottle here. We're not optimistic.

Rodriguez was removed from the closer role in early May and hasn't been any better in a less demanding job, ultimately posting a 7.82 ERA over 28 appearances this season. The 35-year-old was pretty good for the Tigers in 2016 and shouldn't be out of a job long, but it's certainly possible that his days as an effective reliever are over.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said late Tuesday that he'll begin using Francisco Rodriguez in "higher-leverage situations."

K-Rod vented some frustration about his prolonged stint as a mop-up man ahead of Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks, and a few hours later Ausmus used him in the seventh inning of a 6-6 tie. "I’ve been saying for a week and a half now that I’d like to get him in higher-leverage situations," Ausmus told reporters after the game, an eventual 7-6 loss. "We’re a lot better team when he’s pitching in those situations successfully." Justin Wilson is still the best bet for saves in Detroit, even after yielding a go-ahead homer to David Peralta in the top of the ninth inning Tuesday.

Francisco Rodriguez gave up two runs in the seventh inning Monday to take a blown save against the Royals.

Eric Hosmer hit a game-tying homer off him. Rodriguez did end up with the win after the Tigers came through in the top of the eighth tonight. Still, he didn't help his cause. Justin Wilson ended up notching his fourth save with a hitless ninth.

Justin Wilson will be the primary saves man for Detroit while K-Rod works through some early-season struggles. Rodriguez has a brutal 8.49 ERA and 2.06 WHIP in 13 appearances this year and he blew two save opportunities over the weekend in Oakland. Wilson is an obvious must-add in all standard fantasy leagues.

Tigers' manager Brad Ausmus said after Sunday's game that the coaching staff will discuss the closer situation on Monday.

Francisco Rodriguez has blown saves on consecutive days against the Athletics and has now blown four saves in 12 attempts on the season. Justin Wilson is the best reliever in the bullpen, but is probably more valuable being used in the highest leverage situations, whether that's in the ninth inning or not. The problem, if the Tigers demote K-Rod, is that they can't turn around and trust him in a setup role.

Francisco Rodriguez blew the save with three ninth-inning runs allowed in Sunday's loss to the A's.

Rodriguez came on in the ninth inning looking to hold a slim 6-5 lead. That plan went awry, though, as K-Rod walked Rajai Davis to lead off the frame, then proceeded to surrender an RBI double to Jed Lowrie, a hard lineout to Khris Davis and a walk-off two-run home run to Ryon Healy. This was Rodriguez's second consecutive blown save. He ultimately surrendered five runs in the final two games of the weekend set and now owns an unsightly 8.49 ERA in 13 appearances. It would not surprise if he receives a few days off during the coming week as the Tigers try to get him back on the right track.

Francisco Rodriguez yielded two runs, two hits and a walk while retiring just two batters in a blown save Saturday in Oakland.

K-Rod's ERA mushroomed to 6.35 as he took his third loss of the season on a third blown save. The 15-year veteran is just getting the job done, allowing at least one earned run in four of his previous six appearances and six of the past nine outings. The good news is that his velocity has been where it should be and there is no one waiting in the wings to replace him if he continues to falter. However, he isn't a terribly attractive fantasy option at the moment.

Jerad Eickhoff will open the season on the disabled list with a strained lat and miss 6-8 weeks.

Eickhoff won't be able to throw for 7-10 days, and he'll have to restart his throwing regimen. It's a blow to the Phillies' rotation, as he was expected to open the season as the third starter pitching behind newly-acquired Jake Arrieta and Aaron Nola. That spot now will likely belong to Vincent Velasquez, and it opens up a spot for either Ben Lively, Nick Pivetta or Mark Lieter Jr to begin the season in the rotation.